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  • Title: Methods of estimating seed banks with reference to long-term seed burial.
    Author: Ishikawa-Goto M, Tsuyuzaki S.
    Journal: J Plant Res; 2004 Jun; 117(3):245-8. PubMed ID: 15034763.
    Abstract:
    We compared two standard seed-bank estimation techniques using buried seed populations that had been covered to depths of >1 m by volcanic deposits for 20 years. Some seeds were germinated in a greenhouse (germination method [GM]), and other seeds were extracted by flotation using 50% K(2)CO(3) solution (flotation method [FM]). In total, FM could detect more species and seeds in the soils than GM. However, many species that were extracted by FM did not germinate by GM and smaller seeds were extracted to a lesser extent by FM. FM and GM have distinct advantages and disadvantages. We concluded that the application of a single method should be avoided in estimating seed banks, in particular for long-lived seed banks, because the seeds cannot be readily germinated and are structurally weak.
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